FANNING FIREFLIES
Genre: Paranormal
IR Verdict: With FANNING FIREFLIES, L.S. Delorme masterfully combines forbidden love with supernatural abilities and the insidious undercurrents of racism, resulting in an emotionally charged, thought-provoking read that will linger long after the final page.
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ATTICUS FROM SHAWNEETOWN
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: A quirky blend of hog hysteria, grave-robbing intrigue, and existential courtroom drama, James Varga’s ATTICUS FROM SHAWNEETOWN is a vibrant mosaic of small-town life.
THE DAUGHTER BETWEEN THEM
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: An expertly crafted plot, richly drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes help Alretha Thomas’s THE DAUGHTER BETWEEN THEM stand out in the crowded thriller genre.
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LIGHTNING BUGS AND ALIENS
Genres: Coming of Age (IRDA Winner)
IR Verdict: Daniel Babka’s LIGHTNING BUGS AND ALIENS is a sci-fi novella that remains engaging from start to finish through suspense and fluid prose.
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THE MAKER OF WORLDS
Genres: Fantasy
IR Verdict: David Litwack’s adventure THE MAKER OF WORLDS is a luminous portal fantasy, an intimate epic that tenderly chronicles two world-weary travelers’ quest for connection and meaning. Meticulous world-building and nuanced characterizations lift Litwack’s novel above generic fantasy fare.
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MURDER TAKES THE FIFTH
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: In this latest volume of The Pastor Matt Hayden Mystery Series, former undercover cop-turned-preacher Pastor Matt Hayden wades through a cesspool of homophobia and corruption to find the culprits behind a deadly bombing at a popular Austin nightclub.
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A HORSE BROUGHT US HERE
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: Dershie McDevitt has penned a thought-provoking literary gem in her richly researched, coming-of-age shocker, A HORSE BROUGHT US HERE.
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THE JOY DIVISIONS
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: THE JOY DIVISIONS, Scott Dimovitz’s darkly funny, epic debut conjures the goth-industrial ’90s with period-precise wit and Pynchonesque sprawl.
THE REVENGE PARADOX
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Tightly-wound, Regina Buttner’s THE REVENGE PARADOX is a haunting tragedy of a domestic thriller. Messy family dynamics, complicated characters, and a rollercoaster of shocking twists make this an edge-of-your-seat, fast-paced read.
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BALLAD OF SEA AND SKY
Genre: Romantasy
IR Verdict: Madeleine Eliot’s BALLAD OF SEA AND SKY is a pitch-perfect addition to the growing genre. With a high-stakes plot, charming cast of characters, and swashbuckling adventure, it’s easy to devour this story in just a couple of sittings.
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THE HIDDEN POWER OF RISING DIVIDENDS
Genre: Finances
IR Verdict: With THE HIDDEN POWER OF RISING DIVIDENDS, Greg Donaldson draws upon his decades of experience and the lessons learned from the 1987 stock market crash, offering readers a relatable and accessible guide to achieving long-term financial security through a conservative investment approach.
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HOURGLASS
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: In HOURGLASS, Daniel James presents a worldview that is at once dire and hopeful: the afterlife by way of The Expendables. While its apparent pessimism may not click with every reader, fans of paranormal and military fiction will find a lot to love here.
THE LONG HAUL
Genre: Dystopian
IR Verdict: Lena Gibson’s THE LONG HAUL has a self-assured prose style, sympathetic characters, and a plot with as much powerful momentum as the trains that tie its agro-capitalist dystopia together.
THE DINGLEHOPPER BLUEBERRY BELLY-BUTTON SNOOTER
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: Written by Chris Cochrane and illustrated by Indre Ta, THE DINGLEHOPPER BLUEBERRY BELLY-BUTTON SNOOTER is a wholesome picture book that encourages adventure and an open mind toward witnessing uncommon things.
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MEMOIRS OF A SUBURBAN TROUBLEMAKER
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Ellen Smith’s MEMOIRS OF A SUBURBAN TROUBLEMAKER is an engrossing coming-of-age memoir. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, these anecdotes are always winningly candid.
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IT RHYMES WITH TRUTH
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: With a heartbreaking story, witty banter, humor, and creative storytelling, author Rich Miller invokes an eclectic range of emotions in his debut novel, IT RHYMES WITH TRUTH.
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GIVING IS NOT JUST FOR THE VERY RICH
Genre: Science
IR Verdict: Dr. Susan Aurelia Gitelson’s GIVING IS NOT JUST FOR THE VERY RICH (A How-To Guide For Giving And Philanthropy) is a solid reference manual for those seeking advice on how best to give to worthy causes.
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CASTLE FORKS
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: CASTLE FORKS boasts a vividly imagined world and thrilling action. Readers will find much to enjoy in Chris Cochrane’s magical realm hidden within the mundane.
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MASTERING MARKET ENTRY: USA
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Though by design a publication targeted to a niche audience, Manny Schoenhuber’s MASTERING MARKET ENTRY: USA (The European’s Guide to Making It Big in America) is well structured, easy to follow, and thorough. The book could easily become an invaluable first port of call for those looking to expand their business to the USA.
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YOU’RE ON FIRE, IT’S FINE
Genre: Parenting
IR Verdict: Written by therapist Katie K. May, YOU’RE ON FIRE, IT’S FINE: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors is an easy-to-follow guidebook for teenage behavior, recommended for any parent wanting to be prepared for the ups and downs of the teenage years.
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DIRT ROAD RECKONING
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: R.J. Shaw’s DIRT ROAD RECKONING promises a fast and compelling read with a twisty, textured plot, smoothly built developments, complex characters, and a heavy dose of humor.
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THE REVENUE ACCELERATION FRAMEWORK
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Effectively combining anecdote and analysis, business consultant Doug Davidoff’s THE REVENUE ACCELERATION FRAMEWORK: A Proven Roadmap to Transform and Dynamically Grow Your Business provides a comprehensive guide for businesses trying to grow and increase their revenues.
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ALZHEIMER’S THE UNCERTAIN JOURNEY
Genre: Health
IR Verdict: Written by Renée Despres, Guy Slowik and Bernard Isaacs, ALZHEIMER’S THE UNCERTAIN JOURNEY is compassionate, refreshingly candid, and essential reading for anyone navigating the challenges of dementia care.
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THE PIANIST’S ONLY DAUGHTER
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: THE PIANIST’S ONLY DAUGHTER: A Memoir is a clear-eyed and poignant account of one of the most difficult chapters of American life. Kathryn Betts Adams writes with a grace and generosity of spirit that will disarm even the most cynical reader.
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THE WITCHFINDER’S SACRIFICE
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Rande Goodwin’s THE WITCHFINDER’S SACRIFICE is a fierce, adrenaline-filled, high-stakes battle between good and evil that brings historical quarrels and figures into the modern day.
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RETIRING RIGHT
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Jake Falcon’s RETIRING RIGHT: Smart Steps for Exiting Corporate America is a useful guide for corporate executives.
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CAUGHT IN THE SNARE
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: CAUGHT IN THE SNARE, a cozy mystery featuring the sleuth at the center of Deb Pines’s Chautauqua mystery series, entertains with new and familiar characters, a compelling puzzle to unravel, and sly humor.
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